Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-06-18
A QUEER STORY.
MIR. MEGILP'S ACADEMY PICTURE
AND WHAT 1T BROUGHT HIM.

AND WHAT 1T BROUGHT HIM.
The Business Ardor Of Two Dealers Causes
Good Fortune to Shower Upon q Deserv-
ing Artist-A Case of Diamond Cut Dia-
mond, with Curious Incidental Benefits.
Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was young
artist of some performance and of consider
able promise But, like many other men in
that position, he was often heavily handi-
capped by the want of ready money, for
though his pictures were tolerably
well spoken of by the critics, and
Landed to the skies by his friends,
the picture-dealers gave him only very
moderate price for them.
Still, in spite of this drawback, Megilp,
being Of cheerful, happy-go-lucky DISPOSE
ton, kept up his courage, worked early and
late in his studio, and believed firmly that
some day a favorable turn in his affairs
would come He had married early young
lady possessed of more beauty than fortune;
in fact, Mrs. Megilp's marriage portion OF
fGOO only Just paid for the furnishing OF
the house aid studio at Kensington, where
the young couple began housekeeping
wife was not very skillful manager, so
gradually the Megilps glided into debt, and
in due course the tradespeople became rest
i've and refused further supplies until their
little bills were paid. When Michael An
gelo and his wife came to add up their
liabilities, they found that they amounted
to nearly 92OO, a sum-total which seemed
terrific to poor little Mrs. Megilp.
Where on earth can we get f2O0, Angy"
she cried, clasping her hands tragically. "All
your pictures, even if you could sell them,
wouldn fetch half that"
There's the furniture, you know, Madge,"
hazarded Megilp. at was bought with your
money. What do you say to-"
ooh, dont-don't sell it; couldn't bear
to part with all my pretty things" she in
terrupted, with a loving glance round her
drawing-room, which was quite picture Of
modest elegance.
81 shouldn't think of asking you to make
such a sacrifice, my DEAR" replied Michael
Angelo, soothingly; "but we could raise
e2OO on it easily"
YOU'RE quite-quits sure the furniture
would be safer"
Perfectly sure; and think I know the
man who will do the buSness-a bill of SALE
you know-not half bad way of raising
money"
Accordingly, Megilp went next morning
down to Wardour street, and in dirty little
bric-a-brac shop he unearthed the worthy
persons who was to oblige him with the
loan.
"You want 92OO on bill of sale on your
furniture?" said Mr.. Zerubbabel, when the
artist had explained his errand. II must
come down to your house and see what you
have got before 1 can give you an answer"
'Surely you can take my word that there
is more than ample security for the amount
l want. Besides presents, we ourselves spent
over a6O0 only two years ago." replied
Michael Angelo, angrily.
Mr.. Zerubbabel laid his fat forefinger along
his great hooked nose, and winked, adding
II dare say. Still, I'd rather have a look
at it before we do business. If you give me
your address I'll call on you tomorrow"
Michael Angelo swallowed his vexation as
best he could, gave his address. and left the
bric-a-brac shop.
Mr.. Zerubbabal duly paid his visit of in
spectioli, and in the course of a few days the
negotiation was q fat accompH. The Megilps
paid their bills, the tradespeople smiled once
more on Mrs. Megilps and matters went on
quite smoothly for several months. The in
terest on the f200 was punctually paid, and
early in the year Michael Angelo finished
the picture he intended to send in to Burling-
ton House.
Every one who entered the studio
prophesied great things Of this picture,
and every one agreed that "Chloe
Counting Her Chickens was, so far,
Megilp's chef-Feu The artist himself
founded all his hopes of fame on this charm
ing work.
II won't take penny less than 95OO for
it," he said to his wife, after the visit of dis
tinguished art critic to his studio. "Carper
saysit will take the town by storm-and so
it will"
81 wish you could sell it soon," sighed Mrs.
Megilp. II often feel uncomfortable about
that dreadful bill of sale-it s like what s-his-
names sword hanging over our heads"
"Oh, the furniture is safe enough" replied
Michael Angelo, lightly. "But 1 tell you
what it is, Madge-it handicaps me fright
fully to have bill of sale registered against
me-"
"Why don't you 60 and see Zerubbabel,
and try to come to terms with him?" sug-
gested Mrs. Megilp. "Of course, he has
heard of 'Chloe'-every one has-and if you
promise to pay him when you have sold
your picture, surely he can't refuse to give
you back that horrid document"
Though hardly taking this optimistic view
of matters, Megilp acted on his wife's advice,
and forthwith paid visit to Mr.. Zerub-
babeps shop.
When he had preferred his request, the
bric-a-brac seller smiled and shook his head.
"Micah Zerubbabel wasn't born yester-
day." he said with cunning look in his
twinkling black eyes. "Your picture
mayn't be worth fve-pound note"
"It's worth at least ESQ.," broke in the
artist, reddening, "Carper said So"
"Who's Carper? But even if the picture
were worth ESQ.," grinned Mr.. Zerubbabel,
at wouldn't pay Ito buy it at such price.
But why do you want to quash the bill of
sale?"
81 want to be rid of the business. 1t doesn't
suit me to have thing of this sort hanging
over me-in fact, it is against me in my pro-
fession."
Better find the e20O, them" replied the
money-lender insolently; "but personally,
Pm not fond of buying pigs in pokes, or pic
lures by unknown artists, though perhaps
other people may be. tits, however, for you